Suggested Reading

We know that it's always nice to read a couple books about the area you'll be visiting - so we've listed a few of our favorites here for you. Hope you'll enjoy them!

Where the Sea Breaks it's Back: The Epic Story of Early Naturalist Georg Steller and the Russian Exploration of Alaska, by Corey Ford and Lois DarlingThe classic and moving story of naturalist Georg Whlhelm Steller, who served on the 1741-42 Russian Alaska expedition with explorer Vitus Bering. Steller was one of Europe's foremost naturalists and the first to document the unique wildlife of the Alaskan coast.

Brittle Stars & Mudbugs: An Uncommon Field Guide to Northwest Shorlines & Wetlands, by Patricia K. LichenAlaska abounds in natural wonders, and this field guide is as interesting as the world it describes. Filled with both amazing and amusing true-life tales about Northwest plants and animals, this uncommon field guide will appeal to the casual observer and the avid naturalist alike.

The Thousand Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians, by Brian GarfieldA powerful story of the battles of the United States and Japan on the bitter rim of the North Pacific, has been acclaimed as one of the great accounts of World War II. The history of the brave men who had served in the Aleutians is very compelling and this is the first full-length history of the Aleutian campaign. The book remains a favorite among Alaskans.

The Quiet World, by Douglas BrinkleyAcclaimed historian Douglas Brinkley offers a riveting, expansive look at the past and present battle to preserve Alaska’s wilderness. Not merely a record of Alaska’s past, Quiet World is a compelling call-to-arms for sustainability, conservationism, and conscientious environmental stewardship.

Coming Into the Country, by John McPheeThis book is an unforgettable account of Alaska and Alaskans. It is a rich tapestry of vivid characters, observed landscapes, and descriptive narrative, in three principal segments that deal, respectively, with a total wilderness, with urban Alaska, and with life in the remoteness of the bush.

The Complete Guide to Kenai Fjords National Park, by Jim PfeiffenbergerWritten by a Seward local, this book offers a information about the Kenai Fjords National Park's plants, animals, geology, and history. It also includes suggestions on what to see & do, as well as information on nearby Resurrection Bay, Seward, Kachemak Bay State Park and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

Looking Both Ways: Heritage and Identity of the Alutiiq People, by Aron CrowellLooking Both Ways is an extraordinary introduction to the indigenous people and vital culture of Alaska's south central coast. Combining archaeology, history, and oral tradition, it traces the Alutiiq path through ancestral generations to contemporary life, including today's compelling issues of cultural identity and autonomy.

Looking for Alaska, by Peter JenkinsLooking for Alaska is Peter's account of eighteen months spent traveling over twenty thousand miles in tiny bush planes, on snow machines and snowshoes, in fishing boats and kayaks, and on the Alaska Marine Highway searching for what defines Alaska. Hearing the amazing stories of many real Alaskans--from Barrow to Craig, Seward to Deering, and everywhere in between--Peter gets to know this place in the way that only he can. His resulting portrait is a rare and unforgettable depiction of a dangerous and beautiful land and the people that call it home.